President of India’s message on the eve of Independence Day of Algeria
- The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on the eve of their Independence Day.
Areas of co-operation between India and Algeria
- India considers Algeria as one of the leading economies of Africa and the developing world. The partnership between our countries continues to grow in several areas for the mutual benefit of our peoples.
- A roadmap for co-operation in the fertilizer sector has been agreed to during the visit. The bilateral co-operation between our two countries in the fertilizer sector has immense potential for creating additional employment and promoting food security.
- Similarly, space co-operation between India and Algiers has, also, assumed new dimensions. Both the countries agreed continue to pursue and enhance bilateral co-operation in the space sector for mutual benefit and the strengthening of bilateral co-operation in the ICT, oil, defence and gas sectors.
Environment Minister to Lead Plantation Drive to Celebrate Van Mahotsav
- Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan will lead a month-long drive to plant saplings to mark Van Mahotsav starting on July 5.
- Shri Narendra Modi’s emphasis is on ‘Van Dhan’ to enhance the country’s forest-based economy, while improving the biodiversity and living in harmony with nature has been a part of our culture for thousands of years.
- India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) aims to create additional Carbon Sink of 2.5 to 3 Billion Tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030, as has been submitted to UNFCCC. Such goals can be attained only with the active participation of people on a large scale.
About Van Mahotsav
- Van Mahotsav is usually observed in the first week of July every year and is celebrated on different days in different parts of India.
- The objective behind celebrating Van Mahotsav is to keep local people involved in plantation drives and spread environmental awareness.
Background
- Van Mahotsav began in 1950, with a tree plantation drive, in which national leaders participated. The festival of tree plantation was started by Dr. K.M. Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food to create enthusiasm among masses for forest conservation and planting trees.
- The festival was simultaneously celebrated in other states in India.
All cities of MP, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Telangana to
become ODF by October
- All the 1,137 statutory cities and towns in six States of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala and Telangana are set to be declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2 this year marking the completion of three years of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
- This is based on the regular reports being received from States/UTs.
Two day review of progress of urban schemes in 7 Union Territories begins
- On the first day tomorrow i.e July 5, 2017, National Mission Directors of five urban missions will undertake detailed review of progress and implementation issues with officials from UTs concerning AMRUT, Smart City Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(Urban) and Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- NULM. Issues relating to urban transport will also be discussed.
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